Question:
What’s the difference between Restylane and Juvederm? Is one better for facial wrinkles?

Answer:
Both Restylane and Juvederm are made of hyaluronic acid, which is a clear gel and is a naturally occurring substance found in our own bodies.  They differ in the way that it is manufactured and that Restylane goes through a process where the gel is essentially pushed through a screen creating very tiny particles of this gel, whereas Juvederm is processed in a way that creates a very smooth, non-granular gel.  There are differences in their chemical properties and viscosities and cohesiveness because of these different manufacturing processes, but overall they are relatively similar in their effect and longevity and I certainly use both of these products on a regular basis. 

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Question: I am a woman in her mid-fifties with deep nasolabial folds. Would Juvederm injections give me a more youthful look?

Answer: Yes, it seems like you would be a great candidate for Juvederm in your nasolabial folds.  Depending on how deep the folds are, it may take anywhere from one to four syringes to give you an adequate improvement, but as long as it is performed by an experienced injector, you will get a very natural looking rejuvenation that will last somewhere between nine and twelve months and in some individuals quite a bit longer.

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Question: Is it possible that Botox will paralyze the wrong muscle and affect the face incorrectly?

Answer: Yes, it is definitely possible that Botox injections can affect the wrong muscle and relax this muscle creating a side effect or a complication of the injection.  It is obviously imperative that you see an injector with a vast amount of experience using Botox so that this complication does not result as it really should not in experienced hands.

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Question: Would you agree that it is early to start having Botox injections at a younger age to use it as a preventative method of treatment?

Answer: I think Botox is an excellent option to prevent the appearance of wrinkles as it will relax muscles that inevitably create these lines that are part of the aging process.  By starting Botox at an early time period, we can prevent these lines from ever forming and as long as the patient keeps up with the Botox treatments, they will maintain this youthful appearance.

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Question: I’ve had a hard time finding out how long the results of Dysport last. How long can I expect injections to last?

Answer: Neuromodulators such as Botox and Dysport actually have an identical active molecule, which is botulinum toxin A.  This molecule irreversibly binds to the end of the nerve and prevents the nerve from sending an impulse to the muscle to make it contract.  The nerve simply grows a new end plate and this is how the effect wears off.  Botox and Dysport, therefore, should have very similar longevities and in most patients this longevity is around three to four months.

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